Publication: MLB Will Beat NFL In Licensing Revenue In ‘10

For the fourth straight year, Major League Baseball will beat out the National Football League in licensing revenue this year, according to Ira Mayer, publisher of The Licensing Letter, an industry trade publication that focuses on the licensing business.

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MLB baseballs seen through the netting of a basket

The Licensing Letter’s 2010 Sports Licensing Report issue projects that MLB will sell $2.75 billion in licensed merchandise this year compared to $2.7 billion in NFL product. The NBA will pull in a projected $1.75 billion in gross sales for its logoed gear and the NHL will make $630 million in sales.

The report also reveals that retail sales of licensed merchandise based on sports leagues, teams and personalities in the U.S. and Canada totaled $12.5 billion last year and $17.5 billion worldwide.

Here’s a list at the last five years of revenue for each of the major sports leagues, including projected revenue, in billions, for 2010. The publication gets its numbers from talking with league officials, manufacturers and retailers as well as surveys and interviews.